Kona Lanes

Deirdre Newman In January 2001, the Ice Capades Chalet rink emptied for the last time. The Edwards movie theater screen fell dark in April 2001. And soon, the Kona Lanes bowling alley will close, joining its fallen comrades in the recreation graveyard at Mesa Verde Shopping Center. The closing is a mutual agreement between Kona Lanes owner Jack Mann Jr. and C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, which owns the property, since the bowling business has been lackluster for a while, said Paul Freeman, spokesman for the Segerstroms.

This is in response to the Kona Lanes article ("Planners give Kona Lanes hope," Saturday). I feel that Kona Lanes should be kept in our city. We need Kona Lanes for numerous reasons. It could use a face lift, but it is one of the only recreation facilities left that provides a physical activity for all ages. There has been a resurgence of bowling as a popular pastime for families and individuals. The nearest bowling allies to our area are Fountain Valley and Santa Ana. Our city should reap the benefits from this activity.

Deirdre Newman A 45-year landmark will soon disappear from the city's landscape. C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, which owns Kona Lanes, plans to demolish the bowling alley within the next two weeks, company spokesman Paul Freeman said Friday. The alley, which closed May 18, reflects Tiki googie architecture, the quintessential "look-at-me" style that began in Southern California in response to the car culture and explodes with Polynesian flavor. Support for the aging alley swelled in April when the City Council considered a Kohl's department store for the area of the Mesa Verde Shopping Center where the alley and the now-defunct Edwards movie theater and Ice Capades Chalet are. But that did not translate into economic support for the alley, which survived the last few years only because of rent concessions from the Segerstroms, owner Jack Mann has said.

She's old. She's tired. She's not well. Her clothes are tattered and stained, and her makeup faded away years ago. She's been demeaned, insulted and abused. And now, the end is near. Kona Lanes, the grande dame of Orange County's bowling alleys, is all but done. On Monday last, the Costa Mesa Planning Commission approved a Kohl's department store for the last remaining piece of the Mesa Verde Center puzzle, sounding the beginning of the end for Kona Lanes.

As the tenant and operator of Kona Lanes at Mesa Verde Center since 1980, my family and I wish to express our deep appreciation for the patronage of our loyal customers during our long history at this location. We are also pleased that many people have fond memories of hours passed here in earlier, more vibrant times. Regrettably, however, Kona Lanes will close its doors this summer, due to the economic reality of our situation, regardless of whether or not the Planning Commission's approval of Kohl's is overturned by the City Council.

Lolita Harper COSTA MESA -- Rumbling sounds of a 12-pound ball rolling fatefully toward two handfuls of white pins, followed by the thunderous crash when the two meet is music to some people's ears. Loving laughter from friends after a misguided bowling ball misses its targets completely and rolls pitifully down the gutter is also melodious, some say. Soulful crooning, or lively off-tune belting, inspired by a top 40 tune and a scrolling screen of lyrics is some people's version of a live concert.

Yes, Kohl's store should be approved. A better question is: Why doesn't the City Council and Planning Commission follow the city's rules and regulations. All 10 affected property owners have approved Kohl's plans. The plans meet the code and rules and regulations of the city. Why not approve? Shouldn't the city politicos be compelled to follow the rules? If they do not, the residents of this city should bring them to task for a clear disregard of the rules and regulations of Costa Mesa.

Deirdre Newman All work and no play makes Costa Mesa a dull city. So says Mayor Karen Robinson, who plans to file an appeal today of the Planning Commission's approval of Kohl's department store as a last-ditch attempt to save recreational options at the Mesa Verde Center. The Kohl's store, approved by the commission on Monday, is slated to replace the existing Kona Lanes bowling alley and the defunct Edwards Theater and Ice Capades Chalet. "As a City Council, we have an obligation to see to it that Costa Mesa is not only a good place to work and do business, but to play," Robinson said.

If Kona Lanes goes the way of the Ice Capades, the Fish Fry Parade and other Costa Mesa landmarks and traditions that have passed into memory, we too will lament its loss. Bowling is a piece of Americana. It is a family pastime of old that leaves many of us with nostalgic memories. But nostalgia doesn't pay the bills. And just like the drive-in movie screens before it, bowling alleys are fading from the landscape, mainly because hardly anyone goes there anymore.

Sierra's Light Foundation will sponsor a Bowl-a-thon fund-raiser Oct. 7 at Kona Lanes in Costa Mesa. The foundation is seeking donations of gift certificates, merchandise and other items from local businesses for a raffle to be held during the Bowl-a-thon. The event will raise funds to promote awareness and improve safety for children in group settings. The foundation was founded in memory of Sierra Soto, 4, and Brandon Wiener, 3, who were killed May 3, 1999 at a Costa Mesa preschool when a man drove into the playground.

Michael Ernest Hagen Our beloved father, husband, brother, Poppi, uncle, cousin, father-in-law, brother-in-law and friend passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Michael was born December 20, 1940. He grew up in Marengo, Illinois where he became an all-star athlete and trumpet player. Michael traveled as a US Navy CB and landed in Costa Mesa, where he met and married Shirley Littleton. There, they raised three children, bowled weekly at Kona Lanes and operated Hagen Radiator. Michael loved the outdoors and regularly joined family and friends on hunting, fishing and camping trips. He was also an enthusiastic golfer, keen poker player, master of woodworking and all-around handyman.

Mary King (Klohs) Mary was born in Sydney Australia 12/27/1925, she leaves us peacefully on 6/15/2011. Moving from Australia in her 20’s she went to live with family in Windsor Ontario where she met and married Bill Klohs in 1949. They would later answer an ad in a Detroit newspaper to deliver a Cadillac to California and soon settling in Costa Mesa in 1956 when they finished construction of their new duplex. An avid bowler, Kona Lanes, she had numerous games over 200 and a 300 perfect game.

I have never done this before, but I cannot sit idly by after reading the Daily Pilot article with the headline “O.C. Fairgrounds sale still on ” (Jan. 5). Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, I beg to differ with you. You have no understanding of what this means to those of us living in Costa Mesa. There is no skin off your back, nose (whatever), and it is just a cowardly move on your part. I moved here to Costa Mesa when I was 5 years old, and I will be 52 in February.

Costa Mesans who long to hear the sound of an 11-pound ball rumbling down a hardwood lane and those who yearn for the clatter of pins falling over each other need look no farther than their own city. Bowling is back. No, not at Kona Lanes, but at the Orange County Fair, where the Orange County Bowling Assn. is offering one free turn on a mobile lane. OK, so one lane of free bowling next to the kiddie swing ride is not exactly the same but for a brief moment bowling enthusiasts can relive the glory that comes with multicolored shoes and Velcro wrist guards.

A remembrance of frames past While driving by the remains of Kona Lanes, I was reminded of events that had taken place a few weeks earlier. It was the last week of school and my sons had some friends over during the afternoon. My oldest boy came up to me and said they were bored. I told him that they could go out in the street and shoot some hoops. He then reminded me that the week before they had the police called on them for playing basketball in the street.

Having spent half my life in Costa Mesa, there are some memories that jump out at me. My first stint in this town was for six months in the mid-1960s, when I returned to Southern California after service in the military. I was launching myself into a new career, making very little money at the time, and found Costa Mesa to be an affordable place to live. I rented a studio apartment near the corner of 19th Street and Maple Avenue for $85 per month.

Paul Clinton An Ohio sign museum has given Kona Lanes a second life, agreeing to preserve the bowling alley's distinctive Tiki-style sign as a part of its collection. The American Sign Museum, which is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, will add the sign to its collection of more than 2,500 signs, photographs and books chronicling a niche of the country's commercial history. The sign from the bowling alley, which closed May 18, was removed via crane on Monday.

Deirdre Newman A 45-year landmark will soon disappear from the city's landscape. C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, which owns Kona Lanes, plans to demolish the bowling alley within the next two weeks, company spokesman Paul Freeman said Friday. The alley, which closed May 18, reflects Tiki googie architecture, the quintessential "look-at-me" style that began in Southern California in response to the car culture and explodes with Polynesian flavor. Support for the aging alley swelled in April when the City Council considered a Kohl's department store for the area of the Mesa Verde Shopping Center where the alley and the now-defunct Edwards movie theater and Ice Capades Chalet are. But that did not translate into economic support for the alley, which survived the last few years only because of rent concessions from the Segerstroms, owner Jack Mann has said.

Deirdre Newman As demolition day approaches for the landmark Kona Lanes bowling alley, accusations are flying that C.J. Segerstrom & Sons did not make enough effort to keep bowling and other entertainment uses at the Mesa Verde Center. Kona Lanes, a distinctive bowling facility renowned for its googie architecture, closed May 18. The Edwards movie theater and the Ice Capades Chalet closed within four months of each other in 2001. The Segerstroms, who own the shopping center, had intended to replace all three with a Kohl's department store.

COSTA MESA Kona Lanes bowling alley closes before last frame Bowlers despaired after Kona Lanes shut its doors two weeks ahead of schedule on Sunday. Those who missed getting a last round in can still scoop up pins, shoes and other mementos and make offers on larger pieces of equipment from the landmark bowling alley this week from noon to 4 p.m. The alley closed because of financial difficulties. The City Council deadlocked again on whether to reconsider its approval of high-density condominiums downtown.